Is Tattoos a Sin? What Does The Bible Say?

Is tattoos a sin? A lot of people debate on whether tattoos is a sin or not. I believe as the Bible says it is a sin. Tattoos is not something one can justify in any means. I know there is people that got tattoos before they were saved and even some Christians get tattoos, because they never read Lev 19:28 or ever thought about truly praying about it and asking fellow leaders in the church that might have more experience and knowledge of the Bible then they.

Lev 19:28 NKJV You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.

Podcast Audio File

Video Transcription:

Hi guys, this is GodsBoy and this video is about tattoos, and what the bible says about tattoos, and whether I believe it is a sin or not to get tattoos, okay? The first thing is, obviously there is a bible verse in Leviticus that clearly states that you are not to make any tattoos marks. Okay? If we actually go to the verse, now, I’m just going to open it up here quickly, then it’s easier to read it.

If you read Leviticus 19 verse 28, it clearly says, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you, I am the Lord,” okay? It says, “Nor tattoo any marks on you, I am the Lord.” Now, there is a video recently that I checked out from another guy that I believe is a true Christian and he himself does have tattoos and what he was talking about, is if you look at this verse in and out of context.

So, if you go to verse 23, it says, “When you come into the land, and you have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count the fruit as uncircumcised. Three years, it shall be as uncircumcised to you. It shall not be eaten.” So now he is saying; so that means we’re not allowed to eat fruits or anything that we have not cultivated for three years, because, that’s what it says there.

I do agree that obviously this was written in context at a certain point in time for people that yes, God probably did say that to people because that time they didn’t have fridges and pesticide unlike fruit and vegetables that are cultivated these days, so it’s different. But, even so, if you go back to verse 28, whether it’s in or out of context, there is only one way that you can understand when the He says, “Nor tattoo any marks on you, I am the Lord.”

The tattoos that he’s saying is nor, so saying nor tattoo any marks on you, I am the Lord. Because even if it does say “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead,” it’s got nothing to do with the dead when he says “nor tattoo any marks.” If you read that as it is, it’s saying, “Yes, you’re not allowed to make any cuttings in you and your flesh for the dead,” okay? But also saying “And, or nor, tattoo any marks in you, I am the Lord.”

Now, I clearly believe that that’s what God meant, and yes, if you go to Corinthians, we all know there is a verse saying your body is a temple and you’ve got to look after your temple and in context again, that whole chapter is about sexual immorality. But what I’m trying to say is, it doesn’t matter if the whole chapter is about sexual immorality, but when God is saying that you are not allowed, your body is a temple.

That’s what he means, he means your body is a temple. It’s as simple as that. Obviously, your body is not just a temple when it comes to sexual immorality. Your body is a temple, and it does reflect your inner being and it does reflect what you portray in other words, Jesus in me. So now I’m over-weight, so obviously now I’ve got to start exercising. I don’t have to look, I don’t know, like some cover model from the men’s health magazine. But you can’t obese and say you’re a Christian for instance.

How can you do that? I’m being honest with you. I’m not saying all obese people aren’t worthy of being Christian and I’m not judging anybody. All I’m saying is, obviously you’re going to do something about it and you’re going to start working out and you’re going to eat better and you’re going to use the way necessary to make sure that your temple, your body, is reflecting Jesus, is in accordance to His word. In any case, in His word He does say, gluttony is a sin, okay?

We all know what gluttony is. All I’m saying is, I believe getting a tattoo is a sin. I do believe that there is no other way that you can look at that verse and that’s just that. I think, at the end of the day, God created us all the way we are, and once we start going and we start modifying our bodies with permanent ink and stuff like that, it is a direct contradiction of what Jesus wanted.

I also heard this guy spoke about this verse in Revelation where it actually says that Jesus on his hip, and I’m speaking under the correction I believe the inscription is that I am the Lord and saviour. It was visibly written. So, isn’t that a tattoo? Ok I hear, but that’s got nothing to do with the mere fact that it clearly does say in the Old Testament that it says in verse 28, “nor tattoo any marks on you, I am the Lord.” So, that’s just the video I wanted to make about this, and you’re more than welcome to leave your comments. It will be very interesting to hear what you guys think about it. God bless, cheers.

Please leave some comments below if you think tattoos is a sin or not:

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About the Author

Dewaldt Huysamen has over 10 years experience when it comes to drug abuse and substance abuse in South Africa. He has helped many people recover from drugs and many families how to cope with their addicted loved ones.